data jungle adventures

We know the rivalry of cities for the most livable status, but how is this measured? Income vs living expenditures = affordability of life? Accessibility of cultural and sports events and activities?

You are right, a combination of both: affordability and access to services, sports and culture along with safety and security.

The liveability of a city is typically measured and assessed by considering a range of factors that impact the quality of life of residents.

1. Do you feel safe and secure? This includes crime rates, access to emergency services, and the overall sense of safety in public spaces.
2. Are you healthy? Access to quality medical care, availability of health services, and the general health of the population.
3. Do you have access to education? This includes the quality of schools, access to higher education, and literacy rates.
4. Can you get around? Availability and quality of public transportation, traffic congestion, and ease of commuting.
5. Is the environment of good quality? Air quality, access to green spaces and parks, and the overall cleanliness of the city.
6. How and where do I live? Affordability of housing, the availability of affordable housing, and the quality of housing options.
7. Can I access culture? Availabiliy and diversity of cultural activities such as museums, theatres, festivals, restaurants, nightlife, and other entertainment options.

Cities are often rated on these factors using various metrics and indicators, and rankings are published by organizations such as the Economist Intelligence Unit, Mercer, and Numbeo. These rankings can help individuals and businesses make decisions about where to live, work, and invest.

Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter changes, on multiple scales and directions.

The affordability of services are slightly due to utility prices (across the country), while access to sport and culture and lifestyle is continuously increasing thanks to art (e.g. noor festival) and sports festivals and the arrival of an ever-growing supply of retail venues.

The Diplomatic Quarter (Arabic: حي السفارات, romanized: Hayy as-Safarat, lit. ’embassies neighbourhood’) was established in 1975 when the ministry of foreign affairs moved from Jeddah to Riyadh. Designed to accommodate embassies and their staff the district was planned and developed by AS+P with pedestrian movement in mind. Large public plazas with connected shaded and partly vegetated walkways that connect parks, playgrounds and a semi-natural earth berm area. This area is inspired by a local arid wadi landscape and uses their key elements only. Relatively sparse in vegetation the valley-like hill landscape shields the district from noise and pollution from the surrounding road infrastructure and associated pollution. 

In addition to a security and visual barrier, the berms provide a great trail network for running, cycling and just walking. With a connection to adjacent neighbourhoods and parks, rustic outdoor gym equipment is located along the trails. 

The 70’s trails have aged well and still provide a great destination for local sports groups, covering 18 km with 10 equipment locations. 

Complete trail map

Here is the nearly complete trail network of the Diplomatic Quarter. About 30 kilometres of linear trails for running, biking or just strolling around are located along escarpments, earth berms, and Acacia forests. In addition, many paved walkways exist between the two main roads’ axis. Those green fingers connect to parks, open spaces and plazas.